911 Board Hears About Countywide Fire Communication Network

Effingham County 911 Board members Tuesday discussed with firefighters in the county how to best fund a countywide communications network.

Teutopolis Fire Chief Tim McMahon said there are times when he can't talk with his firefighters from relatively short distances away. It's a concern that chiefs in every rural fire district in the county is trying to address.

The proposal is for a network of antennas to be placed on radio towers, water towers and other structures throughout the county.

Montrose Fire District Chief Chris Overbeck said calls would be sent to each of the antennas in the system. That would let each call be received regardless of where they are sent.

The same proposal was shared with the Effingham County Board, which earmarked ARPA funds for much of the cost of the system for one month while 911 discussed what they could do to help. The matter will be revisited in November, once research is completed as to whether 911 can use funds for such a system and whether ARPA funds can be used for any or all of the system. In the meantime, the 911 Board's equipment committee will meet the firefighters to better define just how the system would work.

Effingham Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza said that the city's communication system would remain independent from the countywide system, but did ask whether 911 funds might be available for the three city antenna sites.

Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns, a 911 board member, asked who would own the equipment involved in the system? The chiefs responded that 911 could own them. 

Also Tuesday, the 911 Board retained West and Company to conduct the 911 audit for the past year at about a 30% increase in cost over last year, and approved liability insurance through Weis Insurance of Effingham. Liability insurance was added to the package, which increased the cost to $23,582, about $4,000 more than last year.